OTHER RESEARCH AREAS

We’re working to protect marine biodiversity, and our focus is on those parts of the ocean most quickly impacted by society: highly threatened coastal habitats and coral reefs.

More than 70 percent of our Earth’s surface is covered by water, yet we currently have limited knowledge about our oceans, which are crucial to our survival, and the diversity of habitats and species they support.

Earthwatch research focuses on coastal habitats such as mangrove forests and coral reefs, which represent the most productive regions of the oceans. They remain highly threatened from overharvesting of fish stocks, commercial shipping, pollution, and coastal development. The challenges to supporting a sustainable marine environment are in many cases different from those to supporting terrestrial environments.

FEATURED CASE STUDY

The majestic leatherback sea turtle is a creature of superlatives. Weighing up to a ton, it’s the world’s largest turtle. Earthwatch volunteers are helping to save this species in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.